Michael Eddy (Lighting Designer)

There were two lighting designers in Phoenix that constantly astonished me with their work.

One was Paul Black, the other was Michael Eddy.

Both were sculptors. In their hands, light became three-dimensional, sometimes so much so that it was all I could do to keep from reaching out and touching it.

It also became emotional, carefully underlining the story, washing the stage in vivid light when the script called for it, resorting to subtle nuance when fireworks weren’t needed.

Happily, both are still amazing audiences and serving the word.

Paul was working at the big houses when I began reviewing him. Michael was at many of the smaller ones. The scarcity of equipment in those venues never stopped him. I remember a Black Theatre production – well, I don’t remember its name, shame on me – but the lighting? As they say on Facebook, OMG! It’s a phrase I often associated with Michael’s work.